Jim Johnson (boxer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Johnson
Johnson in 1918
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Battling Jim
Height	5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m)
Nationality	American
Born	(1887-09-02)September 2, 1887 Danville, Virginia, U.S.
Died	November 6, 1918(1918-11-06) (aged 31) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Boxing record
Total fights	84
Wins	35
Wins by KO	23
Losses	35
Draws	13
No contests	1

"Battling" Jim Johnson (born September 2, 1887 – died November 1, 1918) was an American boxer. He fought as a heavyweight from 1908 to 1918. Jim Johnson often lost to famous boxers like Sam Langford and Joe Jeanette.

Even so, Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion, gave him a chance to fight for the title. Their fight in Paris in August 1913 was special. It was the first time two black boxers fought for the world heavyweight title. Battling Jim was the only black fighter Jack Johnson faced as champion.

A Chance at the Title

Battling Jim fought Joe Jeanette, a former champion, four times. He lost all four fights between July 1912 and January 1912. The only well-known boxer he beat during this time was Big Bill Tate. Jim knocked out Tate in the second round. This was early in Tate's professional career.

In November 1913, the International Boxing Union said the world heavyweight title was open. Jack Johnson held it, but they made it vacant. The title fight between the two Johnsons was set for 10 rounds. It happened on December 19, 1913, in Paris. This was a historic moment for boxing.

Johnson vs. Johnson: A Strange Fight

The fight between Jack Johnson and Battling Jim Johnson was called a world heavyweight title match. But many people thought it looked more like a practice match. A sports writer from the Indianapolis Star newspaper said the crowd got angry. They felt the boxers were not trying hard.

The newspaper reported: "Jack Johnson, the heavyweight champion, and Battling Jim Johnson, another colored pugilist, of Galveston, Texas, met in a 10-round contest here tonight, which ended in a draw. The spectators loudly protested throughout that the men were not fighting, and demanded their money back. Many of them left the hall."

The fight organizers said Jack Johnson's left arm was broken. This happened in the third round. But there was no clear proof of this injury at the ringside. People thought Jack Johnson was just playing with his opponent at first. After the third round, he only used his right hand. After the fight, he said his arm was hurt. Doctors later confirmed a small fracture in his left arm. Many believed his arm was injured earlier in a wrestling match.

Because the fight was a draw, Jack Johnson kept his championship title.

Battling Jim's Later Fights

Battling Jim's next fight was also a title match, four months later. On March 27, 1914, in New York City, he fought Sam Langford. Langford won easily in a 10-round match. The New York Times newspaper said Jim Johnson "failed to show anything remotely resembling championship ability."

Battling Jim fought Langford ten more times. Two of these fights ended in a draw. Their last fight was on September 22, 1918. This was also Jim's last professional boxing match. He also faced Joe Jeanette five more times but never won. Two of those fights were draws.

Jim Johnson fought other famous black heavyweight champions. He won only one fight against Harry Wills. Wills broke his wrist blocking a punch, and Johnson won by a technical knockout. Battling Jim lost his other two fights with Wills. He also lost all five fights he had with former champion Sam McVey.

Illness and Death

Jim was supposed to fight Sam Langford again. It was a 12-round fight planned for Lowell, Massachusetts. But the fight was put off. This was because of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. While waiting for the fight, Jim caught the flu. He later died from pneumonia a few days after leaving the hospital.

His Boxing Record

Battling Jim finished his career with 30 wins, 31 losses, and six draws. This includes fights where newspapers decided the winner. When we look at his record against the best black heavyweights of his time, he struggled. He also couldn't beat Jack Johnson, who was fighting with an injured arm. Because of this, Battling Jim Johnson is not seen as a top boxer of his time. He was not considered a strong challenger when Jack Johnson gave him a title shot. This was the only title shot given to a black boxer for 29 years, until Joe Louis won the heavyweight crown.

Professional Boxing Record Summary

All information in this section comes from BoxRec.

Official Record

Newspaper decisions are officially counted as "no decision" fights. They are not included in the official win/loss/draw count.

Unofficial Record

This record includes newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw count.